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In the Department of Civil Engineering, we are developing tomorrow’s infrastructure. We support robust research programs in the areas of geotechnical, water resources, environmental, transportation, construction and structural engineering. The Kentucky Transportation Center – the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s research and training arm – and the Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute are both housed within the Pigman College of Engineering. Add it up, and we are training civil engineering students to meet the infrastructure challenges of today and tomorrow.

8 Faculty members

involved in Humanitarian Engineering

All People are affected by infrastructure

11% Annual job growth

Over the next 10 years

4 Faculty winners of UK Alumni Great Teacher Awards

of UK Alumni Great Teacher Awards

#2 Best engineering jobs (USNEWS)

$461K Department awarded scholarships

CLIMBS Kentucky Climate Resilience

Read about Climbs on Ky NSF Epscor.

Explore our Research Areas

Find your path in Civil Engineering! 

SEEK

Group of students standing on a bridge

The Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp (SEEK) will feature hands-on learning opportunities, guest speakers from engineering companies, and field trips to active project sites for rising high school seniors.

Learn more about the camp

News and Events

2025 Sullivan Award recipients exemplify selfless leadership, commitment to serving

At UK, the Sullivan Award is bestowed each year on two graduating seniors and one citizen who has a connection to the university. This year’s Sullivan award student winners are Amanda Casolare and Nolan Deon Harvey.

Byrne, Bettel receive 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards

The University of Kentucky recognized exceptional faculty and graduate teaching assistants with the Outstanding Teaching Awards during the 2025 UK Faculty Awards Ceremony, held Thursday, May 1.

2025 Pigman College of Engineering Faculty Awards

The annual Pigman College of Engineering Faculty Awards ceremony was held on May 1 at Malone's Prime and Events. Awards were given in the areas of research, service and graduate studies.

Pigman College of Engineering hosts first ever Capstone Design Showcase

On April 28, the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering hosted its first ever Capstone Design Showcase in the Gatton Student Center.  The event showcased 56 Capstone projects from over 200 students from seven engineering disciplines. Featured disciplines were biomedical engineering, biosystems and agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, engineering technology and materials engineering.

Pigman College of Engineering inducts 2025 class into Hall of Distinction

Initiated in 1992, the Hall of Distinction recognizes and honors UK Engineering alumni for exemplary professional accomplishments, outstanding character and an ongoing commitment to community service. Every member of the Hall of Distinction is honored with a plaque in the lobby of the Ralph G. Anderson Mechanical Engineering Building. All members and extended bios are listed here.

WATCH: Bryson presents at TEDxUKY

Climate-driven landslides are a growing threat. How can we harness the power of advanced science, technology and AI to better predict and prepare?  Sebastian Bryson, chair and Hardin-Drnevich-Huang Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering with a joint appointment in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, provided an answer in his recent TEDxUKY talk. 

Fall 2024 Dean's List includes 1,009 engineering students

Pigman College of Engineering Spring 2025 Dean’s List